VEHICLES, CAMPERS, and BOATS > General Vehicle Related Discussion

1990 Chevy ECU replacement knowledge?

(1/3) > >>

akraven:
So with the uptick in talk of problem with China and EMP potiental as well as the fact I live in ALaska and travel remote vibration prone gravel road I have been looking at getting a spare ECU just in case.  In trying to find info on them it gets confusing pretty fast to me. Some are described as "plug and Play" some state they need to be "programed" or "Flashed" and some are described as only needing the PROM card swapped to the new one.  Trying to find more details on the web seems to only add to the confusion. Does anyone have any experience/knowledge to share on the subject?
I realize that I should probably also have a throttle position sensor spare . Anything else I am missing?
Thank you ahead of time for any help anybody can offer!!!

stlaser:
Ken is the guy to answer this for you.

akraven:
Thanks stlaser !!  Hopefully he will wander through and this.

Flyin6:
I'm not Ken, but I think they do need to be flashed.
My belief, somewhat factually based, is that the core unit lacks a "personality module" which essentially keys the computer to work in a particular application. With different vehicles having two or four O2 sensors, different operating voltages and a myriad of variables the keying to your vin zeroes the computer into a place where it is then compatible with your vehicle. Its that way with the TCM, and I have had to pay for a GM flash before installing a new TCM. I think it is the same with a BCM, so logic suggests the same regiment applies to an ECM

KensAuto:
Yours is the prom style. Just have to get the same number on the ECM.

Yeah Don, pretty much what you said on '96 on up.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page